Being Offered a M1 Garand

[browningautorifle]

Yes easily replaced, at a cost that will drive the rifle over $1000.

I would keep watching, bet it could be found cheaper since the rifle isn't matching anyway. I sure don't see getting hot about it. Still getting one for a grand is good. We can't do that.

[Singer B]

Yes easily replaced, at a cost that will drive the rifle over $1000. Since the Op is a US Veteran he could purchase a similar rifle from the CMP for $750 (backlogged now due to COVID) and whatever fees California will levy, or step down a grade and spend $650 on a field grade.

M1 Garand - Civilian Marksmanship Program

I was definitely in the $900 range when I purchased my $750 CMP. Notarization, joining a club (I joined the GCA and I'm really happy I did), then sending everything registered plus trying to get a copy of your local dealers FFL.....pay the $900 for a rifle you can see, hold and examine. The CMP people sent me a beautiful rifle and I have zero complaints, but I must admit I was a little apprehensive when I opened the box. Of course, if you really like the "feeling" of Christmas, get the CMP rifle and do your special "present dance" when it comes in. That rifle is $1200 to $1500 here in Southern California. Whichever one you get, it's a Garand and that's all you need to say!

[rcathey]

Whichever one you get, it's a Garand and that's all you need to say!

I’ll add one thing to that...

They ain’t getting any cheaper!

[usabaker]

In person deal for $900...I think that’s a fine price. You wouldn’t be stealing it but you’re not overpaying either. If you want one, buy it!

Yeah, I've been looking around and any that I have found in the $900.00 price range here in California are train wrecks. These things seem to cost a bunch more here. Like I said, its going to be a rifle I use in the NRA Shoots so not so much a collector. I do want a collector rifle, I really want one of the ones that came back from the Pacific War at the CMP because my uncles and grandfather fought there. Although my Gramps was a BAR rifleman. Upside is I could sell it the day after I get it and make money on it.

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------

Since you probably don't have a guage just make sure the barrel isn't pitted. Hope that helps some.

I have seen and shot the rifle and the thing is very accurate, the barrel looked beautiful inside and out. Since the Parkerization on the receiver and barrel is super clean I'm guessing it's been gone through. I didn't ask if it is a CMP rifle. He won't be back in town until the end of July so I will more than likely pick it up.

---------- Post added at 07:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:46 PM ----------

Is the butt plate proud of the stock? The first photo makes it look like the stock has been heavily sanded.

Not sure, I don't remember it standing proud of the stock when I looked at is when he brought it to the range. He let me shoot it and it was pulling nice tight groups. But, I he was not offering and was not considering buying it at that time so I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to it. I will ask about it, but for the price not sue it would be an issue to me for what I plan to use it for. This is one of the things I love about this forum, you guys catch things that the buyer (me) over looks.

---------- Post added at 07:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 PM ----------

In our area, the M1 you have if the barrel is in great shape would run about $1,200 easy. Most folks are looking for a good shooter but the collector are out there.

That's about what I'm seeing here in Californa as well. Even Mosin Nagant go for over $400.00 here, Chinese SKS's at STUIP prices $450 ~ $500 and if it a Yugo dang near $900.00 with 80% bluing I know because I just saw once go for that at my friend gun shop.

---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:57 PM ----------

Since the Op is a US Veteran he could purchase a similar rifle from the CMP for $750 (backlogged now due to COVID) and whatever fees California will levy, or step down a grade and spend $650 on a field grade.

And I do hope to get a CMP, but I want to fly down and pick it out. Me and a buddy had planned for this year BUT, COVID kind of put a kink in it. There is no way I'm getting on a plane to fly anywhere in the near future. Not at least until there is a shot for the COVID. Besides, my employer does not like travel outside a 100-mile radius and would make me do a 14 days quarantine.

---------- Post added at 08:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 PM ----------

That rifle is $1200 to $1500 here in Southern California. Whichever one you get, it's a Garand and that's all you need to say!

That is absolutely the truth! The only one is have seen in the $900 range here in San Deigo is the run down ones, don't even see that price at the pathetic Del Mar Gun Show.

[usabaker]

As the proverb goes, "Curiosity killed the cat"......

If I WAS to decide that a USGI replacement stock was in order for this rifle, what would I look for in a stock?

I've been looking around for information on this rifle and it looks like all that I can tell from the serial number it that it may have been built in 1944, I'm guessing I will need to look at other numbers once I get the rifle to know more?

[Tommiep54]

First thing is look at the date on the barrel. If the barrel is a replacement barrel that is not within 3 months roughly of the date of manufacture of the reciever I would just put a WW2 rebuilt stock on it or usgi walnut stock of any manufacturer because the barrel is probably a replacement barrel. Basically for a ww2 rebuild stock that's a ww2 stock that either has rebuild marks or has had the original inspector stamp/cartouche sanded off during rebuild. Original ww2 stocks with unsanded cartouche are quite pricey and in my opinion unnecessary expense for this rifle ( to each their own). Really, if it's a mixmaster any USGI walnut stock is just fine. If it's got an original barrel and some other stuff you could theoretically restore it, but that's pricey in its own right, some people regard that as changing the rifle's history, and you would want to do research and make sure it's a rifle you would consider worth restoring. I know rattled a hornets nest bringing up a restoration. Really, the stock is fine as is to shoot but if it bugs you I would just buy a usgi walnut stock or a ww2 stock that's been through a rebuild. I may have missed some things and caused more questions than I answered but happy to help.

[browningautorifle]

Really, if it's a mixmaster any USGI walnut stock is just fine.

just buy a usgi walnut stock or a ww2 stock that's been through a rebuild

That's where I am with it, if the one on it is un-doable...I wouldn't rebuild it with earlier parts. That's really going to be expensive. Wait an get a correct original. That too will be expensive.

[musketjon]

Not trying to be a wet blanket here but it's apparent you know very little about the M1 rifle, and that's ok. None of us are born with the knowledge. I've been studying, collecting and shooting the M1 rifle for 40 years. $900 could be a steal, or it could be a not-so-good deal. It would behoove you to find someone who is well-versed in the M1 rifle and have them accompany you to look at and evaluate it before you pull the trigger on the deal. Just sayin.......
Jon

[usabaker]

If it's got an original barrel and some other stuff you could theoretically restore it, but that's pricey in its own right, some people regard that as changing the rifle's history, and you would want to do research and make sure it's a rifle you would consider worth restoring.

For this rifle, I'm not looking to do a restoration. I guess it's my lack of knowledge on the M1 Garand that is causing me to mis-frame my questions; when I asked what I should be looking for in a rifle, it was really what would fit. In looking on Gunbroker and eBay I noticed that there were differences called out on some of the stocks and was not sure if the 'fit' was different between manufactures Springfield -vs- Harvester -vs- Winchester -vs- XXX.

That is not to say that I wouldn't 'prefer' something that is close to what came with the receiver when it was shipped or arsenaled; I would but it is not a big concern, just seems sort of silly to buy something where you would have a Springfield with a Int. Harvester or any other manufacturer stock. This is simply a shooter that I want for matches and the stock plays no real role in that respect. I would like it to look unmolested just because that is my preference, I have an aversion to mil surplus sandpapered rifle stocks and having people think I was the Bubba.

I really don't know at this point if I would even restock it. When I first saw the rifle I didn't notice if the furniture had been sanded or if the buttplate was proud of the stock, I guess because buying it was not on the table. I guess I will know at the end of July when I pick it up. Everything is speculative at this point. Thank you for the help

---------- Post added at 08:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:38 AM ----------

Wait an get a correct original. That too will be expensive.

What is considered furniture original parts for this rifle? Is it just the cartouches or is it more?

I guess I should buy a book the M1 Garand and learn a bit, from what I have been reading even buying from the CMP can lead to questionable buys.

[usabaker]

Not trying to be a wet blanket here but it's apparent you know very little about the M1 rifle, and that's ok. None of us are born with the knowledge. I've been studying, collecting and shooting the M1 rifle for 40 years. $900 could be a steal, or it could be a not-so-good deal. It would behoove you to find someone who is well-versed in the M1 rifle and have them accompany you to look at and evaluate it before you pull the trigger on the deal. Just sayin.......

Jon, I know ABSOLUTELY zero about *collecting* the M1 Garand. I do know about is condition and shoot ability, this is really what my decision was to buy this rifle was based on. I was looking for an M14 for the NRA and CMP matches are the range where I work at and then this popped up out of the blue. Having seen it shoot, handled it, and shot the rifle myself. I already knew that it would serve me well as my first NRA High Power Match and following CMP Match rifle. Add to the fact that I would not be able to find a Garand in this condition at $900.00 in California -ever- it felt right. Now if it turns out that receiver, parts, and barrel are correct, well bonus. But I was not buying a collector rifle. This rifle is still what I consider low cost compared to some of my bolt actions rifles, I spent more for my Bergara then this rilfe. I also don't see how I can lose money on this rifle, I know I could turn it the day after I bought it for the same or more then I paid for it.

What this experience will help me with is the day I decide to buy a collectors M1 Garand. And you are 100% correct I will indeed ask for help from knowledgeable people before I buy that collector rifle, even though I intend to get it from the CMP. Trust but verify.